Reo Hatate turned nine on the day Shunsuke Nakamura lit up the Champions League with one of the tournaments greatest-ever goals.
Almost sixteen years on, the Japanese kid would love to emulate his compatriot’s Celtic heroics. But Hatate admits that, as he went through university and obtained a licence to be a PE teacher, he had no idea if he might one day be training someone else to follow in Nakamura’s footsteps as opposed to getting the opportunity himself.
When the draw is made in Istanbul this evening, there is every chance Gordon Strachan’s Asian superstar’s famous free-kick from 2006 will appear in the TV showreels of competition highlights. It was on November 21, Hatate’ s birthday, that Nakamura wrote himself into Parkhead folklore with his wondrous 30-yard strike beyond Edwin van der Saar to surge his team past Manchester United and into the last 16 for the first time.
Hatate said: “I still remember the goal that Shunsuke scored. It’s one of the most famous goals ever scored by a Japanese player. It’s fantastic for me to now be playing on that stage. A goal in any game is very important whether it’s a domestic game or the Champions League.
“But my countryman achieved a great thing by scoring that goal that night and I’d like to make my mark in the competition by scoring a goal like that. It would be great to create history like Nakamura did.”
Nakamura, of course, didn’t just grace club football. The midfield genius was also a stalwart on the international stage with 98 caps and represented Japan at a World Cup.
For Hatate, it’s another achievement to try and emulate. Celtic team-mates Kyogo Furuhashi and Daizen Maeda look booked for a spot in their country’s squad for Qatar 2022. Their colleague could conceivably force his way into boss Hajime Moriyasu’s plans for the showpiece with strong showing for Ange Postecoglou in the Champions League.
The 24-year-old is aware of the situation and said: “It would be a great honour if I could play for Japan at the World Cup. It’s the biggest stage in international football and, of course, once you play for your country once it becomes your ambition.
“But for me, the most important thing right now is to play very well for Celtic. To have a chance of playing at the World Cup, I have to give absolutely everything I can for my club in the next few months.
“If I’m not playing well there it will be difficult for the national coach to select me. But, of course, I hope to make the squad.
“Playing in the Champions League can help me do that as it’s the biggest stage in club football. Every game is watched all over the world.
“It’s been a big dream for me since I was a kid. The opportunity to play in it is one of the reasons I came to Celtic.”
Hatate has worked hard to get where he is. Clearly an intelligent young man as well as an outstanding footballer. He studied sports and health science for four years at university and obtained a licence to be a PE teacher.
He recalled: “Back then I didn’t imagine that I’d be looking towards playing in the Champions League one day. I’m not sure if I thought I could train players for the Champions League or that one day I would be thinking about playing in it myself.
“Although it wasn’t a normal path, in some way I think that my time at university helped me get to this point in my career. Because I took this different route into professional football, I think I appreciate what I have got at Celtic a little more.
“To play football for a profession is an amazing thing, but during those four years at university I also had a great time. Both experiences are important for me. I am happy with the path my life has taken to this point.
“This is why I am enjoying my life so much now. I love everything about being a professional footballer.”
Hatate is also loved by fans having surged into their affections within a couple of weeks of his debut in January this year. Man of the Match against Hibs, he followed up with a stunning goal against Hearts at Tynecastle before two against Rangers in his Old Firm baptism.
A week on Saturday, he’ll return to that fixture. Although he recounts it with fondness, the focused nature of Postecoglou’s squad means he won’t be considering the Light Blues until tonight’s Euro draw, Sunday’s Premiership game against Dundee United and then next week’s encounter with Ross County to start the Premier Sports Cup defence are out of the way.
Hatate said: “It [Rangers] was an amazing game with an incredible atmosphere. The reason I was so calm after I scored was that I couldn’t believe it had happened.
“I hadn’t thought about scoring before the game, so I was a bit surprised when it happened not once but twice. I just didn’t know what to do, so I didn’t really celebrate, even though I could see that everyone else in the stadium was going crazy.
“If I score another next week, I’m still not sure if I’d know what to do. Of course, the games against Rangers are important, but everyone is important for me. We have two matches to play before we think about the Rangers match.
“When it comes around, we’ll be ready. I prepare in the best way possible for the next match.”
Reo Hatate spoke at JD Sports store in Glasgow promoting their Celtic range which is also available at www.jdsports.co.uk/sport/football/club/celtic/
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